FROM

Commentary on the Lectionary: Nov. 13 – How to Use our Talents, Matthew 25:14-30

In this parable, a master entrusts three servants with his wealth. Two
invest the money and get a good return, and the master praises them and
gives them promotions. The third buried the money and, when faced by the
master’s ire, said, “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you
did not sow,” so in fear he hid the money. The master berated the servant,
declaring, “You know that I reap where I have not sowed …?” The master
declared that the servant should have at least invested the money with
bankers. So, the master gave this servant’s talent to a servant who had
invested profitably and pronounced, “For to every one who has will more be
given, and he will have abundance; but from him has not, even what he has
will be taken away.” The text then describes how the “worthless servant” was
cast “into the outer darkness”.

All parables are open to a range of interpretations, but this is a
particularly difficult one to untangle. It is natural to presume that the
“master” is God, particularly since the text describes the servant he
condemned as “worthless.” Is the master indeed hard and does the master
deserve the servant’s criticism that he reaps where he does not sow? I
suggest that the master expects his servants to serve him faithfully,
regardless of how they perceive him. Those who regard the master as
benevolent are eager to please him and invest the talents vigorously. The
other servant regarded the master as a harsh judge, but he still had an
obligation to carry out his duties.

Though talent refers to a unit of money, I think we can apply this parable
to all the talents we have, whether they are financial, intellectual,
artistic, or otherwise. We are given these talents by grace of God, and it
our duty and our challenge to use them effectively in service to God.
Otherwise, we find ourselves alienated from God – the source of our being –
and we feel as if we are in “outer darkness.” Therefore, those who serve God
enthusiastically reap rewards (though experience tells us that those rewards
are often not financial) and will have a sense of abundance. Those who
reject their calling will feel impoverished, even though they might have
riches.

Next week, I’ll reflect further on what it means to utilize our talents.

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